Michele has a reputation of attracting rain when on holiday and it was not without trepidation that we looked forward to their arrival on Friday 2nd September. It did indeed rain stair rods before day break and there was a gentle drizzle during the first part of the morning they were due to land. By the time they touched down and arrived at the boat on Preveza Quay the sun was shining and we hoped the rain was behind us.
We enjoyed a brilliant week with our good friends, Brian and Michele, of some 49 years, from near Southampton. For both of our families, grandchildren have arrived to fill our lives with great joy, but it does mean we see less of our old friends. Perhaps we get too tired to make the effort when the family have gone home, but we decided having a week on the boat was an excellent way to catch up on lost times together.
There were constraints on the week as Mo had business to attend to in Agrinio which necessitated a car hire from Lefkas, and coincidentally the boat’s house batteries decided to fail on us around the same time. It was not unexpected and in the event the timing was good as Nigel was able to get replacement batteries delivered to Lefkas at the same time. We moored side-on in the town on the Charter pontoons and rigged up a superb craning arrangement to get the two 65kg (each) batteries out from under the steps going down into the saloon. It was a photogenic moment and opportunity, but Mo was so busy assisting with guiding the great weight that Nigel had strapped up and Brian was winching, that taking photos was not on the ‘to do’ list! Mission accomplished very satisfactorily when two fit men arrived with the replacements and expertly carried them and lifted them down into place for Nigel to do the wiring up.
None of this impeded our enjoyment of sailing around showing Brian and Michele Varko Bay, Kalamos, Meganissi and various points on Lefkas before heading off to deposit them on Kefalonia. A neat trip around the Ionian meeting old friends George and Babis en route, there was plenty of good fun, sailing, swimming, nice meals and enjoyable conviviality. It was, however, on this trip that we heard, from Guy, the very sad news of the death of our Queen Elizabeth II only two days after she had invited a new prime minister to form the next government. The opportunity for world affairs discussions was endless although I think we finally agreed we could no longer put the world to right and we had, perhaps unfortunately, missed, or simply not taken the opportunity to get involved in politics when we were younger.
Brian and Michele flew home form Kefalonia on Friday 9th September and have since reported that had many delays including 3 hours waiting for baggage at Gatwick at 1am whilst the three baggage handlers on duty faced an overwhelming workload!
Nigel and Mo sailed east the very next day stopping at Limini Petalis, a useful anchorage, for the night
There was the most spectacular full moon which made for a very special evening on the boat in the calm of the dark night. Next day was a full sail to Messalonghi arriving on Sunday 11th ahead of a strong wind forecast on the Monday. We will stay here for a few days so that Mo can continue the business appointments in Agrinio. On Thursday we will hire a car to go there and take the opportunity to shop for a few more boat stores before hopefully heading further into the Gulf of Corinth. Scenes around Messlonghi town below
Deja Vu 
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